Vacuum food processing system

ABSTRACT

An accessory for use with a container of a food processing system includes a body positionable within a base of the food processing system, said body having a first side and a second side, an opening formed in said body, a member configurable with said opening to selectively seal said opening, said member being arranged at said second side of said body, a vacuum sealing assembly for sealing a chamber of the container, and a release mechanism operable to selectively fluidly couple said chamber to an ambient atmosphere.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/815,992, filed Mar. 8, 2019, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a blender, andmore particularly to a container of a blender configured to receive oneor more food items therein.

Blenders are commonly used to process a plurality of different foodproducts, including liquids, solids, semi-solids, gels and the like. Itis well-known that blenders are useful devices for blending, cutting,and dicing food products in a wide variety of commercial settings,including home kitchen use, professional restaurant or food servicesuse, and large-scale industrial use. They offer a convenient alternativeto chopping or dicing by hand, and often come with a range ofoperational settings and modes adapted to provide specific types oramounts of food processing, e.g., as catered to particular foodproducts.

Several benefits can be achieved by forming a vacuum within a blendercontainer or attachment either prior to or after a blending operation.For example, by forming a vacuum prior to a blending operation, theoverall degradation of the nutritional properties of the ingredientsbeing processes may be reduced. Accordingly, a blender container orattachment may include a seal that is movable to selectively form avacuum within the blender container. However, when the blender containeris used in high vibration environments, such as in a vehicle or when thecontainer is being carried in a bag for example, it is possible thatliquid or other ingredients from the interior of the blender containermay leak through the seal.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a container assembly for a food processingsystem having a sealable body including a chamber having an open end andan accessory connectable to said open end of said chamber. The accessoryincludes a body including an opening and a member configurable with saidopening to selectively seal said opening. The opening is sealed by saidmember. The accessory is receivable within a base of the food processingsystem.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said member is rotatable about anaxis between a first position and a second position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments rotation of said member between saidfirst position and said second position is out of a plane including saidopening.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments rotation of said member between saidfirst position and said second position is within a plane including saidopening.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said member is translatable betweena first position and a second position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said member includes a sealingelement complementary to said opening and when said member is in saidsecond position, said sealing element is associated with said opening.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments association between said sealingelement and said opening forms an air-tight seal.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said container assembly furthercomprises a vacuum passage integral with said sealable body.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said accessory is receivable withina base of the food processing system, said vacuum passage is arranged influid communication with a vacuum system of the base.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said sealable body includes a secondend having at least one vacuum opening, and said container assemblyfurther comprises a vacuum sealing assembly movable relative to said atleast one vacuum opening to fluidly couple said second end and saidchamber.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments comprises a release mechanismoperable to selectively fluidly couple said chamber to an ambientatmosphere.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said accessory is a to-go lid.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said accessory is a rotatable bladeassembly.

According to another embodiment, a food processing system includes afood processor base including a rotary component and a vacuum system. Anattachment configured for removable association with said food processorbase includes a sealable body including a chamber having an open end andan accessory coupled to said open end of said chamber The accessory hasa sealable opening formed therein, the accessory being receivable withinthe food processor base.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said accessory further comprises: abody including said sealable opening and a member movable relative tosaid body between a first position and a second position to selectivelyseal said sealable opening.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said member is rotatable about anaxis between said first position and said second position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments rotation of said member between saidfirst position and said second position is out of a plane including saidopening.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments rotation of said member between saidfirst position and said second position is within a plane including saidopening.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said member is translatable betweensaid first position and said second position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said member includes a sealingelement complementary to said sealable opening and when said member isin said second position, said sealing element is engaged with saidsealable opening.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said container assembly furthercomprises a vacuum passage integral with said sealable body.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments when said accessory is receivedwithin said food processor base, said vacuum passage is arranged influid communication with a vacuum system of the base.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said accessory is not connectable tosaid rotary component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said accessory is connectable tosaid rotary component.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said sealable body includes a secondend having at least one vacuum opening, and said attachment furthercomprises a vacuum sealing assembly movable relative to said at leastone vacuum opening to fluidly couple said second end and said chamber.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments comprises a release mechanismoperable to selectively fluidly couple said chamber to an ambientatmosphere.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said accessory is a to-go lid.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said accessory is a rotatable bladeassembly.

According to yet another embodiment, an accessory for use with a foodprocessing includes a body positionable within a base of the foodprocessing system. The body has a first side and a second side and anopening formed therein. A processing element is arranged at a first sideof the body and a member configurable with said opening to selectivelyseal said opening is arranged at said second side of said body.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments the processing element includes arotatable blade assembly.

According to yet another embodiment, an accessory for use with acontainer of a food processing system includes a body positionablewithin a base of the food processing system, said body having a firstside and a second side. An opening is formed in said body and a memberconfigurable with said opening is operable to selectively seal saidopening. The member is arranged at said second side of said body. Avacuum sealing assembly for sealing a chamber of the container, and arelease mechanism operable to fluidly couple said chamber to an ambientatmosphere.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said release mechanism is operablycoupled to said vacuum sealing assembly.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said release mechanism is integrallyformed with said vacuum sealing assembly.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said member is rotatable about anaxis between said first position and said second position.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said member includes a sealingelement complementary to said sealable opening and when said member isin said second position, said sealing element is engaged with saidsealable opening.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as analternative, in further embodiments said release mechanism is operableto selectively fluidly couple said chamber to said ambient atmospherewhen said sealing element is engaged with said sealable opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of thespecification embodies several aspects of the present invention and,together with the description, serves to explain the principles of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a food processing system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base of a food processing system;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a food processing system having a firstattachment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an attachment suitable for use with afood processing system;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container body of FIG. 4according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5A is a detailed perspective cross-sectional view of a second endof the container body of FIG. 5 according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an accessory of an attachment suitablefor use with a food processing system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an accessory of an attachment suitablefor use with a food processing system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an attachment suitable for use witha food processing system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an attachment coupled to a base of afood processing system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another accessory of an attachmentsuitable for use with a food processing system according to anembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory of FIG. 10 in an openconfiguration according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the accessory of FIG. 10 in an openconfiguration according to an embodiment.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, togetherwith advantages and features, by way of example with reference to thedrawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example of a multi-functional foodprocessing system 20 is illustrated. In general, the food processingsystem 20 can be adapted to perform any food processing or blendingoperation including as non-limiting examples, dicing, chopping, cutting,slicing, mixing, blending, stirring, crushing, or the like. Although thefood processing system 20 illustrated and described herein is a personalblender system, other food processing systems are within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

The food processing 20 system includes a base 22 having a body orhousing 24 within which a motorized unit (not shown) and at least onecontroller C (see FIG. 9) are located. The base 22 includes at least onerotary component, such as a drive coupler 26 (see FIG. 2) for example,driven by the motorized unit located within the housing 24. The base 22additionally includes a control panel or user interface 28 having one ormore inputs 29 for turning the motorized unit on and off and forselecting various modes of operation, such as pulsing, blending, orcontinuous food processing. The at least one drive coupler 26 isconfigured to engage a portion of an attachment 30 coupled to the base22 for the processing of food products located within an interior of theattachment 30. This will become more apparent in subsequent FIGS. anddiscussion.

In an embodiment (see FIG. 9), the base 22 of the food processing system20 additionally includes vacuum system 32 having a mechanism 34 capableof drawing a vacuum, such as a vacuum pump for example. However, anymechanism capable of drawing a vacuum is contemplated herein. At leastone attachment 30 configured for use with the base 22 is operablycoupled to the vacuum pump 34 when the attachment 30 is mounted to thebase 22. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the vacuum pump 34is arranged at a side 35 of the base 22, such as at the rear thereof, toallow one or more attachments having varying configurations to easilycouple to the vacuum pump 34. The vacuum pump 34 may be operably coupledto the controller, illustrated schematically at C, such that the vacuumpump 34 is operated by the controller C in response to actuation of oneor more inputs 29 of the user interface 28.

One or more attachments 30 varying in size and/or functionality may beconfigured for use with the base 22. An example of an attachment isillustrated in more detail in FIG. 3. In an embodiment, the attachment30 includes an inverted jar or container having a body 36 including afirst open end 38, a second closed end 40, and one or more sidewalls 42extending between the first end 38 and the second end 40 to define ahollow processing chamber 44 of the container. The attachment 30 is apersonal blending container that has a first configuration whenseparated from the base 22 and a second, inverted configuration whencoupled to the base 22. A rotatable blade assembly 46 is configured toselectively couple to the first open end 38 of the container 36 to sealthe processing chamber 44. The container 36 and blade assembly 46 may bethreadably coupled together; however, it should be understood that othermechanisms for removably connecting the container 36 and the bladeassembly 46 are also contemplated herein.

To process the food items arranged within the processing chamber 44 ofthe container 36, the rotatable blade assembly 46 is coupled to thefirst end 38 of the container 36. When connected to the container 36,the rotatable blade assembly 46 is configured to couple to the base 22of the food processing system 20. A driven coupler (not shown)associated with the at least one blade 47 is positioned adjacent anexternal surface of the rotatable drive assembly 46, outside of thechamber 44. The at least one drive coupler 26 is configured to engagethe driven coupler to rotate the at least one blade 47 about an axis Xto process the food products located within the processing chamber 44 ofthe attachment 30. It should be understood that the attachment 30including an inverted container 36 and a rotatable blade assembly 46 isintended as an example only, and that other attachments such asattachments having the same orientation when both connected to the base22 and separated therefrom, are also contemplated herein.

In embodiments where the attachment 30 is an inverted container 36, theattachment 30 may include one or more contact members 48, such as tabsfor example, positioned about the periphery of the attachment 30.Although four contact members 48 are generally illustrated in the FIGS.,any number of contact members 48 is within the scope of the disclosure.In embodiments where the attachment 30 includes an inverted container 36and a blade assembly 46, the contact members 48 may extend outwardlyfrom the container 36, the blade assembly 46, or both.

The contact members 48 of the attachment 30 are configured to cooperatewith a mounting area 50 of the base 22 to couple the attachment 30 tothe base 22. As shown, the mounting area 50 includes one or morereceiving slots 52 within which each of the plurality of contact members48 of the attachment 30 is receivable. The attachment 30 may beconfigured to slidably connect to the base 22 of the food processingsystem 20. Alternatively or in addition, the attachment 30 may beconfigured to rotatably connect to the base 22 such that the attachment30 is locked relative to the base 22. However, it should be understoodthat any suitable mechanism for coupling the attachment to the base 22is within the scope of the disclosure.

In an embodiment, the container 36 is a vacuum container suitable forperforming a vacuum operation of the food processing system 20. In suchembodiments, the container 36 includes an interior wall 54 disposed at aposition located between the first end 38 and the second end 40 of thecontainer 36. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the interiorwall 54 is offset from the second end 40 of the container 36 and sealsan end of the processing chamber 44. A cover 56 is vertically offsetfrom the interior wall 54, at a position between the interior wall 54and the second end 40 of the container 36. The cover 56 may bepermanently affixed to the container 36, or alternatively, may be ableto move, for example pivot, relative to the interior wall 54 between aclosed position and an open position. In an embodiment, the cover 56extends from a protrusion 58 located at a central portion of theinterior wall 54 to an interior surface 60 of the sidewall 42. A gasketor seal 62 may be mounted to the cover 56 and configured to contact theinterior surface 60 of the sidewall 42 and the interior wall 54 to forman air-tight seal there between. Together the interior wall 54, adjacentsidewall 42, and cover 56 cooperate to define a vacuum chamber 64 sealedfrom the ambient atmosphere and separate from the processing chamber 44.

The container 36 additionally includes a vacuum passage or conduit 66configured to fluidly connect the vacuum pump 34 and the vacuum chamber64 when the attachment 30 is coupled to the base 22. The vacuum passage66 may have a generally linear configuration as shown in FIG. 5, oralternatively, may have one or more bends or angles formed therein.Because the vacuum pump 34 is located at a side 35 of the base 22, afirst end 68 of the vacuum passage 66 configured to abut with a surfaceof the base 22 to fluidly couple to the vacuum pump 34 is similarlylocated adjacent a corresponding side of the container 36. In anembodiment, a portion of the vacuum system 32 is arranged adjacent anupper surface 37 of the base 22. As a result, the first end 68 of thevacuum passage 66 may be vertically offset from the first end 38 of thecontainer 36. However, embodiments where the first end 68 of the vacuumpassage 66 is aligned with the first end 38 of the container 36 are alsoconsidered herein.

The vacuum attachment 30 includes a vacuum sealing assembly 70 locatedwithin the vacuum chamber 64, at an interface between the processingchamber 44 and the vacuum chamber 64. As best shown in FIG. 5, anexample of a vacuum sealing assembly 70 is illustrated in more detail.More specifically, the vacuum sealing assembly 70 may be formed in theinterior wall 54 that separates the processing chamber 44 from thevacuum chamber 64. By arranging the vacuum sealing assembly 70 at thisposition, the vacuum sealing assembly 70 is easily accessible by a userwhen the attachment 30 is coupled to the base 22 of the food processingsystem 20. However, in other embodiments, the vacuum sealing assembly 70may be located at another location about the attachment 30.

The vacuum sealing assembly 70, best shown in FIG. 5A, includes anumbrella valve 72 having a valve stem 74 extending through a primarychamber opening 76 formed in the interior wall 54, and a flange 78extending generally perpendicular to the valve stem 74. As shown, one ormore dimensions of the distal end 80 of the valve stem 74 are greaterthan the primary chamber opening 76 to restrict movement of the umbrellavalve 72 relative to the container 36. Via the engagement between thevalve stem 74 and the primary chamber opening 76, a flow of fluid orfood particles from the interior processing chamber 44 of the container36 through the primary chamber opening 76 is restricted. The flange 78of the umbrella valve 72 is sized such that a portion of the flange 78,such as near the periphery of the flange 78 for example, is inoverlapping arrangement with the at least one secondary chamber opening82 formed in the interior wall 54. Accordingly, under normal conditions,the flange 78 seals the at least one secondary opening 82 to prevent aflow of fluid and/or food particles there through.

During a vacuum operation, when either attachment is mounted to the base22 and the vacuum passage 66 is operably coupled to the vacuum system32, the vacuum mechanism 34 generates a negative pressure which isapplied to the exposed surface of the umbrella valve 72. The negativepressure generated will cause the peripheral portion of the flange 78 toseparate from the secondary chamber opening 82 just enough to allow airwithin the processing chamber 44 to be drawn there through. As soon asoperation of the vacuum mechanism 34 ceases and the negative pressure isremoved, the peripheral portion of the flange 78 will bias back into itsoriginal position to seal the secondary chamber opening 82. This biasmay be the result of the resilient material, such as silicone forexample, from which the umbrella valve 72 is formed. Alternatively, abiasing mechanism may be used to facilitate movement of the flange 78back into a sealing position. A vacuum operation may be performed afterfood has been disposed within the processing chamber 44 but prior toperforming a food processing operation. In another embodiment, a vacuumoperation is initiated to draw a vacuum within the processing chamber 44after performance of a food processing operation has been performed.Forming a vacuum after a blending operation may be used to increase theshelf life or storage of the food products within the attachment 30.

The vacuum attachment 30 additionally includes a release mechanism 84operable to vent the processing chamber 44 of the container 36 toambient, thereby breaking the vacuum formed therein. The releasemechanism 84 is similarly mounted at a location of the attachment 30that is easily accessible by a user. As shown, the release mechanism 84is located remotely from and is not connected to the vacuum sealingassembly 70. However, it should be understood that embodiments where therelease mechanism 84 is directly or indirectly coupled to the vacuumsealing assembly 70 are also within the scope of the disclosure. Withrespect to the inverted vacuum jar, the release mechanism 84 is mountedat the exposed second end 40 of the container 36.

An example of a release mechanism 84 is shown in more detail in FIG. 5A.In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the release mechanism 84includes a connector 86 having a sealing member 88. The releasemechanism 84 additionally includes an actuator 90 pivotally coupled tothe connector 86 via a pin 92 defining a pivot axis of the actuator 90.In an embodiment, a camming lever 94 extends from the connector 86toward the actuator 90. When the release mechanism 84 is in anunactuated state, the sealing member 88 is engaged with an adjacentopening 96 fluidly connected to the processing chamber 44. A biasingmember 98, such as a coil spring for example, may be coupled to theconnector 86 to bias the sealing member 88 into engagement with theopening 96 to form an air tight and liquid tight seal. To actuate therelease mechanism 84, the actuator 90 is pivoted about the axis of pin92. This movement overcomes the bias of the biasing member 98 and alsoapplies a force to the camming lever 94 of the connector 86, therebycausing the connector 86 and sealing member 88 to move vertically, andout of engagement with the opening 96.

After a vacuum has been generated within the processing chamber 44 ofthe container 36, it is difficult, if not impossible to remove the bladeassembly 46 and access the food product within the processing chamber 44as a result of the forces acting thereon. Accordingly, a user shouldfirst break the vacuum within the container 36 by operating the releasemechanism 84 prior to accessing the contents within the processingchamber 44 of the container 36.

A container 36 having a vacuum sealing assembly 70 as illustrated anddescribed herein when used in conjunction with a vacuum device 34 priorto a food processing operation may provide a food product havingincreased vitamin retention, specifically vitamin C. Exposure to oxygenwithin during the blending process may cause the ingredients within thecontainer 36 to degrade. By removing the oxygen from the container 36,the overall degradation of the nutritional properties of the ingredientsbeing processes is reduced. The vacuum attachment 30 illustrated anddescribed herein is intended as an example only, and it should beunderstood than any vacuum attachment suitable for use with the base 22is within the scope of the disclosure.

In an embodiment, other accessories interchangeable with the rotatableblade assembly 46, such as a lid or cover for example, may be removablycoupled to the first open end 38 of the container 36 to seal thecontainer 36. An example of such an accessory 100 suitable for use witha vacuum attachment is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 6-12. Asshown, the accessory 100 includes a body 102 having a first end 104, asecond end 106, and a sidewall 108 extending between the first end 104and the second end 106. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, thebody 102 is sealed by a wall 110, at least a portion of which isarranged at a position offset from the first end 104. In otherembodiments, the first end 104 of the body 102 may be sealed, oralternatively, the second end 106 of the body 102 may be sealed.

An opening 112, such as for consuming the food product within theprocessing chamber 44 for example, is formed in a portion of the body102. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the opening 112 isformed in the wall 110. Because the wall 110 is offset from the firstend 104 of the body 102, a channel wall 113 may protrude from the wall110 to the plane of the first end 104 to define a passage of the opening112. However, the opening 112 may be formed at any position about thebody 102. Although in the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, thechannel wall 113 and the wall 110 are integrally formed, embodimentswhere the channel wall 113 and the wall 110 are distinct are also withinthe scope of the disclosure.

The accessory 100 additionally includes a movable member 114 operable toselectively seal the opening 112. In the illustrated, non-limitingembodiment, the movable member 114 is a flip top pivotable about an axisP oriented generally perpendicular to the axis defined by the opening112, such that the movable member 114 rotates out of the plane of theopening 112. As shown, the movable member 114 is transformable between afirst, open position (FIG. 6), and a second, closed position (FIG. 7).The open positon and the closed position of the movable member 114 may,but need not be generally coplanar, and in an embodiment, the rotationabout the axis P between the open and closed positions is less than orequal to about 180 degrees. However, embodiments where the open andclosed positions are separated by a different angle, including but notlimited to any angle between 20-180 degrees is within the scope of thedisclosure. Further, although the movement of the movable member 114 isillustrated as out of plane relative to the opening 112, embodimentswhere the movable member 114 is configured to rotate or translate withinthe plane of the opening 112 are also contemplated herein.

In an embodiment, the movable member 114 is mounted to at least one ofan upper surface 116 of the wall 110 and the first end 104 of the body102. However, it should be understood that embodiments where the movablemember 114 is mounted at any suitable position of the accessory 100 forselective engagement with the opening 112 is within the scope of thedisclosure. Alternatively, or in addition, the movable member 114 may beremovably coupled to the accessory 100 via the opening 112 or thestructure of the body 102 surrounding the opening 112. In theillustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the movable member 114 has anarcuate body including a first arm 118 and a second arm 120 pivotallymounted for rotation about the axis P. However, other configurations ofthe movable member 114 are also contemplated herein.

In an embodiment, the movable member 114 includes a sealing element 122(FIG. 6) having a configuration generally complementary to the opening112. The sealing element 122 is configured to abut or engage a surfacedefining the opening 112 to form an air-tight seal therewith.Accordingly, when the flip top 114 is arranged in a first open position,shown in FIG. 6, the movable member 114 and sealing element 122 areseparated from the opening 112, thereby allowing a user to access theopening 112. When the movable member 114 is in the second, closedposition, the sealing element 122 is arranged within and seals theopening 112, thereby restricting a flow there through.

In an embodiment, the accessory 100 includes an opening 124 having avacuum sealing assembly 126 including an umbrella valve similar to thevacuum sealing assembly 70 arranged adjacent the second closed end 40 ofthe container 36. Although the opening 124 is shown as being formed in aportion of the wall 110, such as remote from the channel wall 113 forexample, an opening 124 formed at any location in fluid communicationwith the processing chamber 44 of the container 36 when the accessory isconnected to the container 36 is contemplated herein. However, it shouldbe understood that embodiments where the to go lid does not include avacuum sealing assembly 126 are also within the scope of the disclosure.

In an embodiment, a vacuum operation to remove the air from theprocessing chamber 44 of the container 36 may be performed while theaccessory 100 is affixed to the first open end 38 of the container 36.As previously described, the first end 38 of the container 36 and theaccessory 100 are configured to couple to the base 22 of the foodprocessor system 20. In such an inverted configuration, the movablemember 114 is in the second closed position such that the opening 112 issealed, thereby preventing any of the food items within the processingchamber 44 from escaping through the opening 112. In the illustrated,non-limiting embodiment, the body 102 of the accessory 100 is configuredsuch that when the container 36 and accessory 100 are installed onto thebase 22, the drive coupler 26 is located within the clearance formedbetween the first end 104 of the body 102 of the accessory 100 and thewall 110. By performing a vacuum operation when the accessory 100 isconnected to the container 36, a user is able to take the container 36having a negative pressure processing chamber 44 on the go, i.e.separate from the food processor so that a user may selectively breakthe vacuum when the user is ready to consume the contents of theprocessing chamber 44 at a later time.

In an embodiment, the accessory 100 is attached to the first end 38 ofthe container 36 after all processing, i.e. blending, chopping, pureeingetc, of the food items within the processing chamber 44 is completed.Accordingly, in such embodiments, an accessory 100 including aprocessing element, such as the rotatable blade assembly 46 for example,is removed from the container 36 and the accessory 100 is then attachedthereto. Accordingly, the rotatable blade assembly 46 and the accessory100 may be interchangeable relative to the container 36. However, inother embodiments, an accessory including a processing element may alsohave an opening 112 formed therein and a movable member 114 operable toselectively seal the opening 112. In such embodiments, the processingelement may be disposed adjacent a first side of the accessory body, forinsertion into the processing chamber, and the movable member may bearranged adjacent a second side of the accessory, such as an oppositeside that is typically exposed to a user. Accordingly, in some instancesa single accessory may be used not only to process the food, but also asa to-go lid for storing the processed food within the processing chamber44 for consumption at another time.

With specific reference now to FIGS. 10-12, the configuration of thebody 102 of the accessory 100 is similar to the accessory of FIGS. 6-9.However, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, the vacuumsealing assembly 126 is connected to the movable member 114. Forexample, as shown, the vacuum sealing assembly 126 is located within acentral portion of the sealing element 122. In an embodiment, themovable member 114 additionally includes a release mechanism 128operable to break the vacuum within the processing chamber 44, similarlylocated within the central portion of the sealing element 122. Further,the release mechanism may be operably coupled to or integrated with thevacuum sealing assembly 126.

In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the movable member 114includes a housing 130, the sealing element 122 being formed about anexternal periphery of the housing 130, and a connector or engagementmember 132 is pivotally mounted to a portion of the housing 130. Asshown, a pivot axis Y is defined at a central portion of the engagementmember 132 such that a first side 134 of the engagement member 132extends from the axis Y in a first direction and a second side 136 ofthe engagement member 132 extends from the axis Y in a second, oppositedirection. Extending from the first side 134 of the engagement member132, towards an interior of the housing 130 is a connector 138 having asealing member 140 mounted thereto. When the engagement member 132 is inan normal or unactuated state, as shown in FIG. 11, the sealing member140 is engaged with an adjacent opening 142 formed in the housing 130and fluidly connected to the processing chamber 44.

Further, a biasing mechanism 144 is coupled to and extends between aninternal surface 146 of the housing 130 and the engagement member 132 ata position offset from the pivot axis, such as at the second side 136for example. The biasing force of the biasing mechanism 144 isconfigured to bias the engagement member 132, and therefore theconnector 138 and sealing member 140 into engagement with the opening142 to form an air tight and liquid tight seal. To break the vacuumwithin the processing chamber 44 while the sealing element 122 isengaged with the opening 112, the engagement member 132 is rotatableagainst the bias of the biasing mechanism 144, such as by applying aforce to the second side 136 thereof. This rotation moves the sealingmember 140 out of contact with the housing 130, thereby exposing theopening 142. Although the vacuum sealing assembly 126 described hereinincludes a connector 138 and a sealing member 140, other configurationsof the vacuum sealing assembly 126, such as including an umbrella valvefor example, are also contemplated herein. In such embodiments, rotationof the engagement member 132 against the bias of the biasing mechanism144 may move the flange of the umbrella valve to expose a secondaryopening and fluidly couple the processing chamber 44 to ambient. Anaccessory 100 having both a vacuum sealing assembly 126 and a releasemechanism 128 associated therewith may allow a container 36 that doesnot have a separate vacuum sealing assembly or release mechanism to beused with a vacuum source.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patentscited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each reference were individually and specifically indicated to beincorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

Exemplary embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention.Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventorsexpect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, andthe inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes allmodifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in theclaims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, anycombination of the above-described elements in all possible variationsthereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicatedherein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

1. A container assembly for a food processing system, the containerassembly comprising: a sealable body including a chamber having an openend; an accessory connectable to said open end of said chamber, saidaccessory including: a body including an opening; and a memberconfigurable with said opening to selectively seal said opening, whereinwhen said opening is sealed by said member, said accessory is receivablewithin a base of the food processing system.
 2. The container assemblyof claim 1, wherein said member is rotatable about an axis between afirst position and a second position.
 3. The container assembly of claim2, wherein rotation of said member between said first position and saidsecond position is out of a plane including said opening.
 4. Thecontainer assembly of claim 2, wherein rotation of said member betweensaid first position and said second position is within a plane includingsaid opening.
 5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said memberis translatable between a first position and a second position.
 6. Thecontainer assembly of claim 1, wherein said member includes a sealingelement complementary to said opening and when said member is in saidsecond position, said sealing element is associated with said opening.7. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein association between saidsealing element and said opening forms an air-tight seal.
 8. Thecontainer assembly of claim 1, wherein said container assembly furthercomprises a vacuum passage integral with said sealable body.
 9. Thecontainer assembly of claim 8, wherein said accessory is receivablewithin a base of the food processing system, said vacuum passage isarranged in fluid communication with a vacuum system of the base. 10.The container assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealable body includes asecond end having at least one vacuum opening, and said containerassembly further comprises a vacuum sealing assembly movable relative tosaid at least one vacuum opening to fluidly couple said second end andsaid chamber.
 11. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprises arelease mechanism operable to selectively fluidly couple said chamber toan ambient atmosphere.
 12. The container assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid accessory is a to-go lid.
 13. The container assembly of claim 1,wherein said accessory is a rotatable blade assembly.
 14. A foodprocessing system comprising: a food processor base including a rotarycomponent and a vacuum system; and an attachment configured forremovable association with said food processor base, said attachmentincluding: a sealable body including a chamber having an open end; andan accessory coupled to said open end of said chamber, said accessoryhaving a sealable opening formed therein, said accessory beingreceivable within said food processor base.
 15. The food processingsystem of claim 14, wherein said accessory further comprises: a bodyincluding said sealable opening; and a member movable relative to saidbody between a first position and a second position to selectively sealsaid sealable opening.
 16. The food processing system of claim 15,wherein said member is rotatable about an axis between said firstposition and said second position.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. Thefood processing system of claim 15, wherein said member is translatablebetween said first position and said second position.
 20. The foodprocessing system of claim 15, wherein said member includes a sealingelement complementary to said sealable opening and when said member isin said second position, said sealing element is engaged with saidsealable opening.
 21. The food processing system of claim 14, whereinsaid container assembly further comprises a vacuum passage integral withsaid sealable body.
 22. The food processing system of claim 21, whereinwhen said accessory is received within said food processor base, saidvacuum passage is arranged in fluid communication with a vacuum systemof the base.
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled)
 25. The food processingsystem of claim 14, wherein said sealable body includes a second endhaving at least one vacuum opening, and said attachment furthercomprises a vacuum sealing assembly movable relative to said at leastone vacuum opening to fluidly couple said second end and said chamber.26. The food processing system of claim 14, further comprises a releasemechanism operable to selectively fluidly couple said chamber to anambient atmosphere.
 27. The food processing system of claim 14, whereinsaid accessory is a to-go lid.
 28. The food processing system of claim14, wherein said accessory is a rotatable blade assembly. 29.-36.(canceled)